THE Proceeds of Crime Act has seen money released for groups including the Scouts and the total was given an added boost of £5.6m after an Aberdeen drilling company had benefited from unlawful conduct.

CASH seized from criminals and diverted to youth organisations has reached £50 million on the fifth anniversary of the launch of CashBack for Communities.

The scheme was boosted by £5.6 million in funds taken by the Crown under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The new money is being forfeited by Aberdeen-based drilling company Abbot Group which accepted that it benefited from "unlawful conduct".

Corrupt payments were brought to light last year following inquiries by an overseas tax authority which resulted in an investigation by a firm of solicitors and a firm of accountants instructed by Abbot itself.

None of the people involved in the payments remain with the group, which said it is "deeply disappointed" over what took place.

Six national youth organisations, such as the Scouts, with a combined membership of 171,000, will be able to access the first release of £1.5 million from the total.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "CashBack is helping more young people than ever before. On the fifth anniversary of the launch of this unique programme, Scotland's communities are getting a £1.5 million Christmas present.

"The latest £5.6 million seizure will bring the total CashBack funding since 2007 to a massive £50 million. This cash has directly benefited over 600,000 young people and generated over 11,000 volunteers from different backgrounds who are now putting something back into their communities across Scotland

"Youth groups in every local authority area in Scotland have already benefited from cash taken from the Proceeds of Crime Act. Putting ill-gotten gains to good use supporting our young people will always be money well spent and this further £1.5 million funding is a direct investment to provide a positive future of our young people."

The six organisations are the Scout Association, Girlguiding Scotland, The Boys' Brigade, The Girls' Brigade, Clubs for Young People and Youth Scotland.

Carol Downie, chief executive of Youth Scotland, said: "The evaluation of the two years of CashBack Small Grants Scheme indicated a strong impact on over 30,000 young people, youth groups and communities across Scotland. We look forward to developing the project over the next three years and reaching even more young people."